US7445387B2 - Ball bearing - Google Patents

Ball bearing Download PDF

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Publication number
US7445387B2
US7445387B2 US11/371,593 US37159306A US7445387B2 US 7445387 B2 US7445387 B2 US 7445387B2 US 37159306 A US37159306 A US 37159306A US 7445387 B2 US7445387 B2 US 7445387B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
small balls
ball
primary
ball bearing
large ball
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US11/371,593
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English (en)
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US20060188183A1 (en
Inventor
Kaoru Iguchi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Iguchi Kiko Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Iguchi Kiko Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Iguchi Kiko Co Ltd filed Critical Iguchi Kiko Co Ltd
Assigned to IGUCHI KIKO CO., LTD. reassignment IGUCHI KIKO CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: IGUCHI, KAORU
Publication of US20060188183A1 publication Critical patent/US20060188183A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7445387B2 publication Critical patent/US7445387B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
    • F16C19/20—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows with loose spacing bodies, e.g. balls, between the bearing balls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/002—Elastic or yielding linear bearings or bearing supports
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
    • F16C19/50—Other types of ball or roller bearings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/04—Ball or roller bearings
    • F16C29/045—Ball or roller bearings having rolling elements journaled in one of the moving parts
    • F16C29/046—Ball or roller bearings having rolling elements journaled in one of the moving parts with balls journaled in pockets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C33/37—Loose spacing bodies
    • F16C33/3713—Loose spacing bodies with other rolling elements serving as spacing bodies, e.g. the spacing bodies are in rolling contact with the load carrying rolling elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a ball bearing that is structured so that conveyed products and the like are directly loaded on a single ball that rotates freely in all directions and that is advantageously used in product conveying apparatuses and the like.
  • a conveying apparatus which conveys materials, parts, semi-finished products, finished products, and other such products in a production facility or the like, is one in which a ball bearing (it is also referred to as “ball transfer”), which is structured so as to provide one ball that rotates freely in all directions and is in direct contact with the conveyed products, is arranged in plurality, and thereby products are conveyed by being smoothly slid.
  • the ball bearing generally has the structure of the ball bearing 1 shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the ball supporting member 2 has a hemispherical concave surface 2 a on which a plurality of small balls 3 is freely arranged.
  • One large ball 4 is seated thereon, and the large ball 4 is retained so as to be rotatable in all directions. All of these components are accommodated inside a casing 5 , which has an aperture 5 a through which the upper portion of the large ball 4 projects.
  • the ball bearing 1 may be used. Because these environments are not limited to those free of contaminants, contaminants may penetrate inside the ball bearing. When this occurs, the contaminants adhere to the small balls 3 , the smoothness of the rotation of the small balls 3 deteriorates, the smoothness of the rotation of the large ball 4 deteriorates, and thereby the performance as a ball bearing degrades. In addition, the smoothness of the rotation of the large ball 4 deteriorates when contaminants adhere directly to the large ball 4 or when contaminants become interposed between the large ball 4 and the small balls 3 .
  • the present invention provides a ball bearing that includes a bearing supporting member that has a hemispherical concave surface, a plurality of small balls disposed freely on the hemispherical concave surface, one large ball retained on the plurality of small balls so as to be rotatable in all directions, and a casing having an aperture through which the upper portion of the large ball projects, the casing accommodating the ball supporting member, the small balls, and the large ball; the small balls include primary small balls contacting the large ball so as to support the large ball, and auxiliary small balls, which are smaller than the primary small balls, for supporting the large ball and not contacting the large ball.
  • the primary small balls are not limited in contacting each other, and a state may occur in which the auxiliary small balls are interposed between the primary small balls.
  • the primary small balls are not limited in contacting each other, and a state may occur in which the auxiliary small balls are interposed between the primary small balls.
  • ample gaps are provided around the primary small balls, contaminants that have penetrated inside accumulate in these gaps. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference with the rotation of the small balls due to contaminants adhering to the small balls.
  • the ball supporting member has a through-hole for discharging the contaminants at the lowest portion thereof.
  • the diameter of the primary small balls is represented by “D”
  • the diameter of the auxiliary small balls is preferably in a range of 0.6 D to 0.95 D, and more preferably, in a range of 0.7 D to 0.85 D.
  • the number of auxiliary small balls is preferably in a range of 0.2 N to 0.4 N, and more preferably, in a range of 0.25 N to 0.35 N.
  • FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away drawing showing the ball bearing in an embodiment of the present invention from a front view and a cross-sectional view.
  • FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of the ball bearing in FIG. 1 , and is an enlarged drawing of the primary portion of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away drawing showing a conventional ball bearing from a front view and a cross-sectional view.
  • FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away drawing showing a ball bearing 11 of an embodiment of the present invention from a front view and a cross-sectional view.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged drawing of the primary portion of FIG. 1 .
  • a ball supporting member 12 has a hemispherical concave surface 12 a , and a plurality of primary small balls 13 a and auxiliary small balls 13 b which are freely arranged on the hemispherical concave surface 12 a .
  • one large ball 14 is seated thereon, and the large ball 14 is retained so as to be rotatable in all directions.
  • a casing 15 which has an aperture 15 a through which the upper portion of the large ball 14 projects.
  • a contaminant discharge hole 12 b (a through-hole) is provided in the center portion, which is the lowest portion of the ball supporting member 12 .
  • Reference numeral 16 denotes a washer.
  • the primary small balls 13 a and the auxiliary small balls 13 b are disposed alternately, because the small balls are arranged simply by placing the plurality of small balls into the hemispherical concave surface 12 a and then seating the large ball 14 thereon, the primary small balls 13 a and the auxiliary small balls 13 b are not limited in being arranged alternately, and the arrangement of the primary small balls 13 a and the auxiliary small balls 13 b is not fixed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the primary small balls 13 a and auxiliary small balls 13 b are disposed in the space between the large ball 14 , the casing 15 , and the hemispherical concave surface 12 a .
  • the number of primary small balls 13 a and auxiliary small balls 13 b is selected so that there is a gap in the upper part of this space, i.e., just below the washer 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • the presence of the gap within the interior space allows the arrangement of the primary small balls 13 a and auxiliary small balls 13 b to not be fixed. Instead, the pattern of or the arrangement formed by the primary small balls 13 a and auxiliary small balls 13 b is mutable.
  • the number of auxiliary small balls 13 b is equal to or greater than a certain proportion of the number of primary small balls 13 a , then an arrangement may occur in which an auxiliary small ball 13 b is interposed between one primary small ball 13 a and another primary small ball 13 a.
  • the auxiliary small balls 13 b which are smaller than these primary small balls 13 a , are present on the hemispherical concave surface 12 a of the ball supporting member 12 .
  • states occur in which the auxiliary small balls 13 b become interposed between the primary small balls 13 a .
  • contaminants denoted by reference numeral 17 .
  • the directions of rotation of two primary small balls 13 a contacting the large ball 14 are identical directions, and these two primary small balls 13 a rotate in accordance with the direction of rotation of the large ball 14 (i.e., do not hinder the rotation of the large ball 14 ). Therefore, this contributes, to some extent, to the smooth rotation of the large ball 14 .
  • the diameter of the auxiliary small balls 13 b with respect to the primary small balls 13 a may be set depending on various conditions, when the diameter of the primary small balls 13 a is represented by “D”, the diameter of the auxiliary small balls 13 b is preferably in a range of 0.6 D to 0.95 D, and more preferably, in a range of 0.7 D to 0.85 D.
  • the ratio of the number of auxiliary small balls 13 b to the number of primary small balls 13 a may also be set depending on various conditions, when the number of the primary small balls 13 a is represented by “N”, the number of the auxiliary small balls 13 b is preferably in a range of 0.2 N to 0.4 N, and more preferably, in a range of 0.25 N to 0.35 N.
  • the ball bearing of the present invention may be used as a conveying apparatus that conveys materials, parts, semi-finished products, finished products, and other such products at a production facility.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
  • Rollers For Roller Conveyors For Transfer (AREA)
  • Bearings For Parts Moving Linearly (AREA)
US11/371,593 2003-09-12 2006-03-09 Ball bearing Expired - Fee Related US7445387B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003-322045 2003-09-12
JP2003322045A JP3942097B2 (ja) 2003-09-12 2003-09-12 ボールベアリング
PCT/JP2004/013590 WO2005026564A1 (ja) 2003-09-12 2004-09-10 ボールベアリング

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2004/013590 Continuation WO2005026564A1 (ja) 2003-09-12 2004-09-10 ボールベアリング

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060188183A1 US20060188183A1 (en) 2006-08-24
US7445387B2 true US7445387B2 (en) 2008-11-04

Family

ID=34308656

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/371,593 Expired - Fee Related US7445387B2 (en) 2003-09-12 2006-03-09 Ball bearing

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7445387B2 (ja)
JP (1) JP3942097B2 (ja)
KR (2) KR20060087547A (ja)
CN (1) CN100417823C (ja)
TW (1) TWI244531B (ja)
WO (1) WO2005026564A1 (ja)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170032998A1 (en) * 2015-07-30 2017-02-02 Lg Display Co., Ltd. Supporter pin and heat treatment apparatus having the same
US11447342B2 (en) * 2019-07-30 2022-09-20 Sanwa Techno Co., Ltd. Ball transfer and seal member for ball transfer employing pile seal member

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101236437B1 (ko) * 2011-04-04 2013-02-21 국방과학연구소 구면베어링 및 이를 이용한 진동시험용 지지장치
CN103518476A (zh) * 2013-09-27 2014-01-22 赵松辰 一种玉米收割机脱粒装置上的夹具顶头
CN113800201B (zh) * 2021-08-27 2023-08-18 山东灵犀院科技发展股份有限公司 一种刮板
DE102022119869A1 (de) * 2022-08-08 2024-02-08 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Längenverstellbare Bedieneinheit und Steer-By-Wire-System

Citations (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US616411A (en) * 1898-12-20 Ball-caster
US1616442A (en) * 1926-02-04 1927-02-08 Festenburg Emile Gerard De Roller ball skate
US1963956A (en) * 1931-03-20 1934-06-26 Mathews Conveyer Co Ball transfer
US2723169A (en) * 1953-03-31 1955-11-08 Clary Corp Bearing construction
JPS4888341A (ja) 1972-03-03 1973-11-19
JPS5333760A (en) 1976-09-08 1978-03-29 Tatsuo Yamamoto Nonslide unit
US4689847A (en) * 1985-03-06 1987-09-01 Electro-Pneumatic-International Gmbh Ball unit
JPS63180718A (ja) 1987-01-20 1988-07-25 Koichi Hara 不等転動素子を有する転がり軸受
US4778041A (en) * 1985-11-19 1988-10-18 Deutsche Star Gmbh Rolling member
US5096308A (en) * 1989-12-19 1992-03-17 Jarl Sundseth Ball unit
US5106207A (en) * 1991-03-25 1992-04-21 Automation Gages, Inc. Ball slide designed for extended travel
JPH0583449A (ja) 1991-09-19 1993-04-02 Hitachi Ltd シーケンスプログラムの入力支援方法及びその装置並びにラダー図入力用のマークシート
US5219058A (en) * 1991-05-14 1993-06-15 Electro Pneumatic International Gmbh Conveyor ball unit
US5358337A (en) 1992-03-19 1994-10-25 Sapim Amada S.P.A. Load bearing ball
US5464086A (en) * 1994-03-03 1995-11-07 Transact International Inc. Ball transfer unit
US5516211A (en) * 1995-07-28 1996-05-14 The Rexroth Corporation Ball transfer unit
US5538346A (en) * 1995-06-07 1996-07-23 The Young Engineers, Inc. Novel ball transfer unit
US5549331A (en) * 1994-06-03 1996-08-27 Yun; Young W. Inline skateboard
JPH10120129A (ja) 1996-10-21 1998-05-12 Kyoei Seiko:Kk 支承体
JPH10252753A (ja) 1997-03-18 1998-09-22 Amada Co Ltd フリーボールベアリング装置及びワークテーブル
JP2003184871A (ja) 2001-12-20 2003-07-03 Makoto Konishi クリーンルーム用ボールトランスファー
US6814212B1 (en) * 2003-06-18 2004-11-09 Frantz Manufacturing Company Transport device for use with transport guides in conveyor systems

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5333760U (ja) * 1977-04-08 1978-03-24
DE3805494A1 (de) * 1988-02-22 1989-08-31 Bavaria Cargo Tech Foerderkugeleinheit
DE8905066U1 (de) * 1989-04-24 1989-06-08 Ku, Mil-Ton, Taichung Gepäckstück-Rolleinheit
US6419397B1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2002-07-16 The Torrington Company Housed steering column
CN2480335Y (zh) * 2001-05-30 2002-03-06 陈绍仪 一种用于传输线上的转向球盘的转向球体

Patent Citations (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US616411A (en) * 1898-12-20 Ball-caster
US1616442A (en) * 1926-02-04 1927-02-08 Festenburg Emile Gerard De Roller ball skate
US1963956A (en) * 1931-03-20 1934-06-26 Mathews Conveyer Co Ball transfer
US2723169A (en) * 1953-03-31 1955-11-08 Clary Corp Bearing construction
JPS4888341A (ja) 1972-03-03 1973-11-19
JPS5333760A (en) 1976-09-08 1978-03-29 Tatsuo Yamamoto Nonslide unit
US4689847A (en) * 1985-03-06 1987-09-01 Electro-Pneumatic-International Gmbh Ball unit
US4778041A (en) * 1985-11-19 1988-10-18 Deutsche Star Gmbh Rolling member
JPS63180718A (ja) 1987-01-20 1988-07-25 Koichi Hara 不等転動素子を有する転がり軸受
US5096308A (en) * 1989-12-19 1992-03-17 Jarl Sundseth Ball unit
US5106207A (en) * 1991-03-25 1992-04-21 Automation Gages, Inc. Ball slide designed for extended travel
US5219058A (en) * 1991-05-14 1993-06-15 Electro Pneumatic International Gmbh Conveyor ball unit
JPH0583449A (ja) 1991-09-19 1993-04-02 Hitachi Ltd シーケンスプログラムの入力支援方法及びその装置並びにラダー図入力用のマークシート
US5358337A (en) 1992-03-19 1994-10-25 Sapim Amada S.P.A. Load bearing ball
US5464086A (en) * 1994-03-03 1995-11-07 Transact International Inc. Ball transfer unit
US5549331A (en) * 1994-06-03 1996-08-27 Yun; Young W. Inline skateboard
US5538346A (en) * 1995-06-07 1996-07-23 The Young Engineers, Inc. Novel ball transfer unit
US5516211A (en) * 1995-07-28 1996-05-14 The Rexroth Corporation Ball transfer unit
JPH10120129A (ja) 1996-10-21 1998-05-12 Kyoei Seiko:Kk 支承体
JPH10252753A (ja) 1997-03-18 1998-09-22 Amada Co Ltd フリーボールベアリング装置及びワークテーブル
JP2003184871A (ja) 2001-12-20 2003-07-03 Makoto Konishi クリーンルーム用ボールトランスファー
US6814212B1 (en) * 2003-06-18 2004-11-09 Frantz Manufacturing Company Transport device for use with transport guides in conveyor systems

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
International Search Report dated Dec. 13, 2004, 2 pages.
Japanese Office Action, Jul. 28, 2006, 4 pages.

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170032998A1 (en) * 2015-07-30 2017-02-02 Lg Display Co., Ltd. Supporter pin and heat treatment apparatus having the same
US10446433B2 (en) * 2015-07-30 2019-10-15 Lg Display Co., Ltd. Supporter pin and heat treatment apparatus having the same
US11447342B2 (en) * 2019-07-30 2022-09-20 Sanwa Techno Co., Ltd. Ball transfer and seal member for ball transfer employing pile seal member

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TWI244531B (en) 2005-12-01
WO2005026564A1 (ja) 2005-03-24
KR20080009781A (ko) 2008-01-29
KR20060087547A (ko) 2006-08-02
TW200510649A (en) 2005-03-16
JP3942097B2 (ja) 2007-07-11
JP2005090556A (ja) 2005-04-07
US20060188183A1 (en) 2006-08-24
CN100417823C (zh) 2008-09-10
CN1849459A (zh) 2006-10-18

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Owner name: IGUCHI KIKO CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:IGUCHI, KAORU;REEL/FRAME:017556/0506

Effective date: 20060420

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Effective date: 20161104